Tawain’s Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center (IEK) said Wednesday that global tablet PC shipments in 2011 are expected to total 48 million units. The number sharply contradicts figures reported earlier today by DigiTimes, which suggest Apple will sell 65 million iPad tablets alone next year. The IEK is part of Taiwan`s government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute, which issued a report regarding the potential impact of tablets, smartphones, smart TVs and 3D displays on the Taiwanese economy in 2011. The report notes that Apple’s iPad will be the firm leader in worldwide tablet sales next year, though Android will account for 25% of global sales, or 12 million units. The IEK also states that Android-powered smartphone shipments are estimated to total 270 million units in 2011 — six times the projections for 2010.
IEK: Tablet shipments to total 48 million units in 2011; 25% will run Android
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